Water and Sanitation in Emergencies
Common Diseases related to WatSan
Diarrhoea (common, acute, bloody/mucus, cholera, typhoid) Bilharzia, Hepatitis, river blindness Worm infestations, scabies, other skin diseases, trachoma Malaria, Dengue, yellow fever Parasite infestations, bubonic plague, Hemorrhagic fevers Danger of contamination from medical waste Danger of contamination from dead bodies Water stress/civil unrest from lack of adequate & equitable
distribution
Diarrhoeal Diseases
Trauma (Injury)
Measles
Malnutrition
Malaria
Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI)
Causes of Death in Emergencies (Worldwide)
0 10 20 30 40
Effectiveness of Hardware and Hygiene Interventions in
Reducing Diarrhea Morbidity
Inte
rve
nti
on
Median reduction (%)
Source: Esrey et al. 1991; Hutley et al. 1997.
Primary sanitary barriers
ToiletsHand-washing (critical times)Water treatment and water handlingFood hygiene
How do We Prevent Diarrhoeal Disease?
Unsafe water kills 6,000 children every day (1/15 sec)
1 Billion people lack a basic water supply
Only live 3 days without drinking water
Lack of water supply denies all people of dignity, energy and time.
Water
Sanitation & Hygiene
2.4 billion people or 2/5 of the world’s population
Simple act of washing hands with soap and
water can reduce diarrhoeal disease by 1/3
Hygiene related illness cost developing
countries 5 billion working days per yr.
Water Supply Sanitation Hygiene Promotion Vector Control Solid Waste Management Drainage
“WatSan” Sector